2024.08.12 Board Minutes

BENNETT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

PROCEEDINGS OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

August 12, 2024

 

The Bennett Board of Education met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 12, 2024 in the gymnasium of the Bennett Community School, Bennett, IA. President Dani Pratt called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. Directors Greg Reynolds, Denise McGhee, and Chad Giebelstein answered roll call and a quorum was declared. Director Nicole Wolf was absent. Also present were Superintendent Shane Knoche, Principal Jeremiah Costello, Board Secretary Kylee Yoerger, SRO Officer Diercks, Ian Bjurstrom, Juli Miller, Heather Sivia, Stacey Hennings, and Susan Stoefen.  

 

The mission statement was read.  

 

Staff/Student Forum: None

 

Public Forum: None

 

Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Knoche introduced Officer Diercks who will be Bennett’s SRO starting this year. Thank you to Ian and Teresa Bjurstrom for their feedback on safety plans as this feedback will help Officer Diercks as he reviews our EOP. Thank you to the school board members for the work session. Currently Mr. Knoche is continuing to meet with members of staff and the community for one on one meetings. 

 

Principal’s Report: The Summer Food Program served 12,000 meals. Staff has moved the safe security box to the bank in New Liberty. Amplify is all here and we will begin the year with three PD sessions. We are still finalizing the preschool class lists as new students sign up. Over the summer we moved offices. The music room carpet bids are on hold for now. Ms. Kress is beginning to work towards her administration degree this year. Mr. Knoche and Mr. Costello attended a leadership retreat and the SAI conference this summer. Unpack your backpack night is the 21st, the 20th and 21st are in-service days, and the 22nd is a planning day. Please see Mr. Costello after the meeting if you are interested in an apparel form for this year. 

 

Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3/0.

 

General Business of the Board:  

8a: Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve the minutes from July 8th, claims totaling $56,050.74 and July financials. Motion carried 3/0. 

-Open Enrollment denial: (requested after the deadline) 

8b: Policy Review: Attendance Policy 501.09 and 501.09 R (1), Title IX materials and Policy - court case is still in 8th Circuit.

-Board Committees:

Policy (Pratt, McGhee)

Facilities/Operations (Giebelstein, Reynolds)

Negotiations/Interest Based Problem Solving (Prett, Reynolds)

Finance (Reynolds, Wolf)

8c: Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve hiring an afternoon custodian. Motion carried 3/0.

8d: Director McGhee moved, seconded by Director Giebelstein to approve instating three bus stops in the city of Bennett as well as the city of New Liberty. Motion carried 3/0.

8e: Emergency Operations Plan for review.

8f: Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve hiring Maureen Dolan as the Preschool Teacher.  Motion carried 3/0.

Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director Reynolds to approve hiring Curtis Wendel as a Paraprofessional. Motion carried 3/0.

Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director Reynolds to approve hiring Kendell Durant as a Nutrition Aide. Motion carried 3/0.

 

Announcements/Discussion:

9a: An additional carpet bid will be obtained but the project will be on hold for now. 

9b: Review 200 Series for board members. 

 

Correspondence: None

Adjournment: Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to adjourn the meeting at 7:59pm. Motion carried 3/0.